A deepening rift within Guyana’s opposition was laid bare this week as People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) leader Aubrey Norton declared that his party will not be drawn into what he described as a personal battle by Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed to avoid extradition to the United States, prompting a sharp rebuttal from the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) leader.
Speaking during an interview with Kidackie Amsterdam of KAMS TV on Tuesday, June 2, Norton dismissed claims that Mohamed represents the type of political force capable of effectively challenging the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).
“There were many who were saying, ‘Mohamed gon take the fight to them.’ So I find it fascinating that now you’re saying he ain’t got fight, but he got money. Garbage,” Norton said.
The PNCR leader argued that political leadership requires far more than financial resources, contending that those seeking to lead must possess integrity, commitment and credibility.
“To fight, you need a moral commitment. To fight, you have to have little or no skeletons in your closet. To fight, you have to have a commitment to people,” he stated.
Norton’s comments come against the backdrop of ongoing legal challenges facing Mohamed and his father, businessman Nazar “Shell” Mohamed, who are facing extradition proceedings linked to sanctions imposed by the United States Department of the Treasury.
The sanctions stem from a June 2024 decision by the United States to target the Mohamed and former Permanent Secretary Mae Toussaint Jr. Thomas over allegations of public corruption in Guyana. U.S. authorities also sanctioned Hadi’s World and Team Mohamed’s Racing Team, which they said were linked to the Mohameds’ business interests.
Norton argued that if allegations that Mohamed deprived Guyana of billions of dollars in revenue are true, charitable donations and community outreach cannot compensate for the wider damage to national development.
While stressing that he supports greater cooperation among opposition parties, Norton said unity cannot be built on ignoring serious allegations.
“Let me say it here and now, I believe the opposition needs to work together, but not by burying our heads in the sand,” Norton said.
But it was Norton’s assertion that Mohamed’s political ambitions are tied to concerns about extradition that drew the strongest response.
“Mohamed’s interest here is to ensure that he isn’t extradited. We don’t have an interest in that,” Norton declared.
According to Norton, the opposition’s responsibility is to advocate for policies that improve the lives of Guyanese rather than defend individuals facing allegations of wrongdoing.
“We have an interest in promoting the development of the people of Guyana,” he said. “Where we believe that that is being promoted, we will, but we will not be part of a personal fight to protect somebody who allegedly robbed this country of resources.”
Mohamed, who leads WIN and serves as Leader of the Opposition, responded on Wednesday with a strongly worded statement rejecting Norton’s claims as false and politically motivated.
The WIN leader maintained that his entry into politics had nothing to do with legal challenges in the United States and instead stemmed from a desire to serve Guyanese citizens.
According to Mohamed, his political journey began long before the formation of WIN, pointing to humanitarian and charitable initiatives conducted across the country during Guyana’s Independence celebrations in May 2025. He said widespread public encouragement eventually convinced him to seek elected office.
Seeking to dismantle Norton’s argument, Mohamed contended that the timeline simply does not support the allegation that he entered politics to avoid extradition.
He maintained that his political involvement predated any extradition request and suggested that legal actions against him intensified only after he emerged as a political contender.
The WIN leader also claimed that President Irfaan Ali, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and Attorney General Anil Nandlall had previously warned him against pursuing a political career and threatened consequences if he continued. He maintained that legal actions against him intensified after he entered politics and said that both he and his businesses have since been subjected to sustained attacks.
Mohamed also rejected suggestions that elected office could shield him from extradition proceedings.
According to Mohamed, there is nothing about serving as Leader of the Opposition that would prevent authorities from pursuing extradition if the legal requirements are met, making Norton’s claim baseless.
He further accused Norton of attempting to regain political relevance by repeatedly invoking his name while ignoring growing dissatisfaction within his own party.
Mohamed said many traditional PNCR supporters have become disillusioned with the party and questioned Norton’s record as Opposition Leader. He further claimed that, with the support of the WIN movement, he has accomplished more in one year than Norton achieved during his tenure at the helm of the parliamentary opposition.
The exchange underscores the increasingly fractured state of Guyana’s opposition landscape less than a year after the September 2025 General and Regional Elections, which transformed WIN into the largest opposition force in Parliament. The party now holds 16 of the opposition’s 29 seats in the 65-member National Assembly, while the PNCR controls 12, and Forward Guyana Movement one.
Beyond the personal attacks, the confrontation reflects a broader struggle for leadership of the opposition movement. While Norton argues that questions surrounding Mohamed’s legal troubles make him an unsuitable standard-bearer for opposition politics, Mohamed insists he is the victim of politically driven efforts designed to blunt his growing influence and prevent him from capitalising on the support that propelled WIN to become Parliament’s largest opposition bloc.
